Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Everyone's favorite Schedule 1 Drug

First, I bring to you an interesting story from Jointogether.com which made me laugh at first because I saw the word "joint" in it:

A growing number of teenagers and preteens are being treated at emergency rooms or are entering drug treatment as a result of using a highly potent type of marijuana, government officials say.

The Los Angeles Times reported April 26 that although marijuana use by youths has declined overall since the mid-1990s, the latest statistics show an increase in more serious problems related to the drug. According to federal health officials, the number of marijuana-related emergency room visits for children ages 12 to 17 more than tripled since 1994, to 7,535 in 2001, the most recent year for which figures were available.

Most of the hospital visits were for an "unexpected reaction" to the drug, while "overdose" was listed in 10 percent of the cases, "chronic effects" in 6 percent, and "accident or injury" in 4 percent."The stereotypes of marijuana smoking are way out of date," said Michael Dennis, a research psychologist in Bloomington, Ill. "The kids we see are not only smoking stronger stuff at a younger age but their pattern of use might be three to six blunts -- the equivalent of three or four joints each -- just for themselves, in a day. That's got nothing to do with what Mom or Dad did in high school. It might as well be a different drug."

According to federal officials, the marijuana being taken by youngsters today is nearly twice as potent as it was in the 1980s. "There is no question marijuana can be addictive; that argument is over," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. "The most important thing right now is to understand the vulnerability of young, developing brains to these increased concentrations of cannabis."

We hear so much propaganda from the pothead lobby about how safe and non-threatening marijuana is, so I think it's good to hear some other stats for a change. Did you know that the number 1 illegal drug that people go to rehab for is marijuana?

Also, in case you think lighting nature on fire and breathing in whatever results is a safe and healthy activity for the whole family, think about this, which I got from DrugStory.org:

Smoking marijuana causes many of the same respiratory complications as smoking tobacco, including daily cough and phlegm (symptoms of chronic bronchitis), frequent chest colds, and increased risk for lung infection, tissue damage and cancer. Regardless of THC content, the amount of tar and carbon monoxide delivered to the lungs is approximately three to five times greater for marijuana smoke than tobacco smoke. This is largely due to differences in the method of smoking tobacco and marijuana, such as larger puff volumes and longer durations of inhalation with marijuana. Some experts have linked marijuana use to a weakened immune system, which could impact the body’s ability to resist viruses, bacteria, fungi and other microbes, thereby increasing risk for infections among youth.

Mmm, sounds like a tasty treat.

Can someone remind me why we are listening to the POTHEAD lobby about anything? What's next, pulling tweekers off their bikes and asking them about tax policy?